Olga Kills In The Caribbean

By: Paul Lim
College Press Staff Writer


At least 14 are dead after a rare December storm raged through the Caribbean islands.  Tropical Storm Olga killed at least 11 in the Dominican Republic where thousands of people were evacuated from their homes.  

Olga is also said to be blamed for mudslides in Puerto Rico that also caused a fatality.  Another two are said to have been killed in Haiti.

The AFP reports that some 34,500 people were evacuated across the Dominican Republic because of the floods and an estimated 5,000 homes were affected, many of them completely destroyed.

Extensive power outages and flooded bridges and highways have stunted travel and mobility the affected countries.  Mudslides, like the one in Puerto Rico, along with falling rock and debris has also created problems for roads in the affected areas.

Olga is the 15th named storm of the year.  It is considered a rarity since it formed ten days after hurricane season ended.

The Dominican Republic had already seen the brunt of another storm this year, Hurricane Noel.  Noel left 85 dead in the island nation.